NY Gov. Cuomo, in State of State address, calls for tax freeze, universal pre-K, more money for schools

Cuomo, in annual speech, calls for property tax relief, school upgrades, full pre-K

By Associated Press

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

ALBANY >> Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered a broad election-year agenda in his State of the State speech Wednesday that promoted a property tax freeze, borrowing $2 billion for high-tech classrooms and an aggressive rebuilding plan around New York.

Cuomo is seeking a second term this year, and the speech gave him a high-profile forum to promote his first three years while unveiling a series of proposals intended to please both social progressives and fiscal conservatives. The speech to state lawmakers and invited guests in a packed convention hall near the state Capitol touched on both corporate tax cuts and an expanded youth works program, export programs and medical marijuana.

“We have much more to do, but we are energized by a new strength, a new pride and a new confidence. And let us build on that record of success,” Cuomo told a largely enthusiastic crowd.

The governor already had unveiled a sweeping $2 billion tax relief proposal this week that includes a cut in corporate tax rates and property tax rebates for homeowners in municipalities that meet certain thresholds. He had also sketched out New York’s post-Superstorm Sandy plans to fortify coastal infrastructure.

In his speech on Wednesday, Cuomo proposed a $2 billion bond referendum for schools. If approved by voters, schools could use the money for wireless Internet connections, tablets to replace textbooks, interactive white boards and new pre-kindergarten classrooms.

“It is time to fulfill the state’s goal” of providing access for all children to all-day pre-kindergarten, Cuomo said, but he didn’t mention how to pay for it. Universal pre-kindergarten is a signature proposal for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who clapped along with officials at Cuomo’s statement of support.

The governor said his medical marijuana initiative, also announced ahead of time, will help New Yorkers suffering from cancer and other severe ailments. He plans to allow 20 hospitals statewide to prescribe marijuana to patients with cancer and some other severe ailments. Cuomo’s medical marijuana plan will be enacted by administratively, not through legislation, and will be more restrictive than programs in some other states like California.

The limited plan was greeted by some in Cuomo’s Democratic base, though advocates want a more sweeping legalization of marijuana.

In the speech, the governor also announced new initiatives designed to attract more international business to the state and to increase exports, a timetable for casino development, starting with the appointment of a siting board this month, and a commitment to upgrade Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City. The casino sites, up to two of which could be in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region, are to be announced in the fall, Cuomo said.

With a series of public corruption cases roiling the Legislature, Cuomo called for increased penalties for official misconduct and tighter disclosure rules that require greater disclosure of conflicts of interest.

Cuomo will have to shepherd his proposals through a Legislature that remains in split control. The State of the State acts as the opening shot of the annual legislative session, which will go on for months.

“We have to examine the details of the tax cuts,” Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said after Cuomo’s speech. “We have to look at the fairness across the state and make sure we can continue our support of education and health care while giving up the revenues in the areas he’s talking about.”

The Assembly’s Democratic majority already has called for another state minimum wage hike, mirroring Democrats around the nation backing the populist issue.

Republicans who rule the state Senate in a coalition with breakaway Democrats have said their priority is a tax-cut package that includes corporate tax rate reductions and permanently capping property taxes.